BCA students don't know what's a computer: GS Parasher

What is a computer? The answer is a calculator. Shocked? This answer was given by a student pursuing first-year bachelor of computer application (BCA) course during the winter exams. This stunning revelation was made by pro vice chancellor GS Parasher, who is presently faced with the task of solving the problems faced by a large number students of this course. They had stormed the university recently, complaining about poor valuation. Not surprisingly, only 250 out of 7,000 students BCA students have managed to clear the exams.

"Many such shocking facts came to light during our inspection. Many colleges have admitted students who had failed to clear Std XII examination two to three times. The colleges offering BCA courses have mushroomed in the last couple of years to over 100. However, some of them are running out of capacity while some others are finding it difficult to get even ten students. If this is not enough, the regular fee for BCA courses is Rs 8,000, which includes Rs 4,500 as tuition fees and Rs 3,500 for practicals. Sadly, most institutions exploit students by charging up to Rs 50,000 as fees. Education has been turned into a money-minting business with crores at stake," the pro-VC said while deliberating on his speech to principals at a meeting in the university's Convocation Hall on Wednesday.

Parasher, who is also in-charge of the examination department, said that even books for the subject were not available to students. "The entire course is tough, considering the fact that it has as many as three engineering subjects. The students told me that they were referring to books prescribed for the MCA course. The absence of qualified teachers is making matters worse. There are only 18 qualified teachers for computers in the entire university. How can they be expected to teach 7,000 students. Such colleges have become sponsored coaching classes," he said. He made it clear to the principals that the entire responsibility for loss of an academic year of the students will rest with the colleges.

Exam dept meet over BCA controversy

VC SN Pathan acknowledged that BCA students came to him with complaints of poor valuation. Taking cognisance of media reports, the VC announced an urgent meeting of the board of examinations (BoE) for the subject on Friday to discuss the issue. "We've gathered some confidential information regarding the subject and will present it before the BoE members," he said.

He asked students to first get photocopies of their answer-sheets and then approach the university. "If there are large-scale discrepancies, we will recheck the papers," he assured. The VC added that he will be meeting the aggrieved students to discuss timetable for revaluation results on Thursday. He will also discuss the issue with BoE of computer science on Saturday.link